E-Newsletter: July 1 - August 15, 2024

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Volunteer with Community Action's VITA Program

Community Action’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is now recruiting volunteers for the upcoming tax season (mid-January through mid-April). Volunteers serve in numerous roles, including IRS-certified tax preparers, schedulers, greeters, interpreters, quality reviewers and site coordinators. VITA volunteers receive free training from November to January. Volunteers are required to commit to four hours a week through the 12-week tax season; opportunities are available in Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, and Wheaton.

Volunteering with VITA is a great way to ensure that taxpayers in low- to moderate-income households receive the tax credits they have earned. The new VITA volunteer form is posted on the CASHBACK volunteer page.

Pictured above are VITA staff and volunteers celebrating the end of the 2024 tax season.

Head Start: Enrollment for 2024 - 2025!

For children who will be four (4) years old on or before September 1, 2024, in low-income families who qualify, registration continues for free pre-kindergarten and Head Start programs in the public schools. Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and search “Head Start” for more details. 

Fliers in English and Spanish direct parents and guardians to one link if they are new to MCPS, and another if they already have a child attending MCPS.

Applications are accepted online via https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and in-person at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The office phone number is 240-740-4530. 

• List of the documents needed to complete a Head Start application

Do you have questions about Head Start? Check out the Common Questions online.

September 21: Family Empowerment Resource Fair

Registration is now open for the Family Empowerment Resource Fair on September 21st. Hosted by Montgomery College, this free event provides information and numerous resources to parents in our community. Community Action and Head Start, along with many of our partners, will participate in the resource fair this year. Please help us get the word out by sharing this information with your networks.

Coming Soon: National Voter Registration Day

On September 17th, Community Action will once again participate in National Voter Registration Day. An information table hosted by the Montgomery County Board of Elections will be set up at the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center, 8703 Flower Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Residents can register to vote onsite and learn about serving as an election judge. Please be on the lookout for more details about this event in the coming weeks.

Board Convenes to Review FY24, Plan for FY25

The Community Action Board’s annual retreat was held on July 24^th , including participating members of the Head Start Parent Policy Council. The retreat was facilitated by Angela Martin, Executive Director of the Maryland Community Action Partnership. The Board reviewed its accomplishments in FY24, shared Head Start updates, and engaged in strategic planning. Participants also had the opportunity to help develop the board’s key priorities for the year ahead.

Pictured above are members of the Community Action Board and Community Action staff with members of the Head Start Policy Council. The posters represent Community Action's accomplishments in each decade since its inception in the 1960s.

Whole Family Approach Shared at Aspen Institute

Earlier this month, Community Action staff members Monica Goldberg, Program Manager for Navigation, and Gabriela Salazar, Opportunity Coach, spent two days with Montgomery College at the Ascend Aspen Institute. The participating partners were at their midpoint convening focused on knowledge, connections, and resources to aid in planning and implementing their learning about strategies supported by the Postsecondary Leadership Circle Activation Fund (PLCAF). 

Gabriela and Monica presented on Community Action's Whole Family Approach, which frames Gabriela’s work as an Opportunity Coach for families served by the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center. Gabriela and Monica shared their expertise and lessons learned in assisting community college students who are parents. The gathering included presentations from Ascend Partners from Montgomery College, El Paso Community College, Long Beach Community College, and Los Angeles Valley College.

Monica added: “We look forward to our continued partnership with Ascend Aspen Institute and in our new partnership with Montgomery College, assisting them in building their Whole Family Approach.” Gabriela and Monica are pictured above, near the top right, with Ascend partners.

Free Tax Help for Income-Eligible County Residents

The Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program--the County’s only year-round VITA program--is offering free tax help for prior year, amended, and current year returns. Virtual and in-person appointments through October 24^th for Montgomery County residents with combined household incomes of $64,000 or less. 

Virtual appointments are available on Mondays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. In-person appointments are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Community Action Agency office located at 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320. To schedule an in-person appointment, please call 240-777-1123 or schedule online through the CASHBACK website. Virtual appointments may only be scheduled by phone.

Residents are reminded that all VITA sites serve taxpayers filing their taxes with an ITIN. Community Action’s VITA program can also assist those who need help with ITIN applications and renewals. Appointments for ITIN applications and renewals are available on Wednesdays.

In addition to free tax help, VITA tax preparers link residents with valuable tax credits that can provide critical support to households. These include federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), Child Tax Credits, and the County’s Working Families Income Supplement (WFIS).

Information about post-season appointments is available on the CASHBACK website. Outreach flyers are available for download in English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, and Vietnamese.

VITA's Tax Tips: IRS e-filing system; 8% interest on unpaid liabilities 

The following is an excerpt from IR-2024-192. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds people to consider using IRS Free File and other resources on IRS.gov to help them file over the summer rather than waiting for the October deadline. There’s no need to wait if taxpayers are ready to file. While taxes may not be top of mind during summer, taking advantage of the resources available at IRS.gov can help individuals avoid a possible deadline crunch later this fall. The online tools are available any time, so taxpayers can use them at their convenience. With 24/7 access to e-filing, qualified taxpayers who requested an extension until Oct. 15 can prepare and e-file their tax returns at no cost with IRS Free File. To use this free service, individuals must have an Adjusted Gross Income of $79,000 or less and can file with a trusted IRS Free File partner. Also, a friendly reminder from the VITA team: The IRS interest rate for unpaid liabilities is eight percent (8%)-- an increase from three percent (3%) in 2023--and tax liabilities are due on the return filing date. Extensions to file do not extend the date for payment of the tax. For more information, visit: https://www.irs.gov/payments/interest or www.irs.gov.

Montgomery County 
Community Action Agency
1401 Rockville Pike, 3rd Floor
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 240-777-1697 

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Green Tips: Conserving Water

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments recently announced that the area is on watch for drought conditions. While some rainstorms have recently visited, as a whole the Washington, DC area continues to face a potential deficit of groundwater. The COG has released tips for water conservation we can all use to help prevent or delay a drought.

• Monitor watering lawns, plants, and shrubs
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways (instead of using a hose)
• Avoid washing your car, or use a commercial car wash that recycles water
• Fix leaking toilets and faucets
• Reduce shower length to under 5 minutes
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth, and
• Wash full loads of dishes and clothes.

Graphics are available in English and Spanish that encourage Wise Water Use, as well as more water conservation resources.

Also, the Greater DC Area Diaper Bank includes a cloth diaper service through the Nursery Project. Washing cloth diapers can be a safe and hygienic alternative and is helpful to the environment. It takes a lot less water to wash and reuse diapers than to make to single-use plastic diapers!

Resources:

NEW: In July, the Montgomery County Council signed into law limits (or "caps") on how much rent can be increased year to year. Please see the link below for more information, including how far back the law applies to rent increases, and which properties are exempt from the law: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dhca/Tenants/RentStabilization.html.

UPDATE: Did you know the Greater DC Area Diaper Bank provides a lot more than diapers? Check out the Diaper Bank's Nursery Project for information on free strollers, car seats, and even a cloth diaper service. Washing cloth diapers can be a safe and hygienic alternative and is helpful to the environment. 

Diaper distribution at Montgomery County hubs and other partners.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Hate Crimes Hotline: 1-866-481-8361 and online reporting tool: https://nohomeforhate.md.gov/. Active incidents should be immediately reported to 911. 

Mental health support resources, from the National Council for Mental Health Well-Being.

Help Is Within Reach:

For a mental health crisis and listening support, call 988.

The Montgomery County Crisis Center is available for call in, walk in, mobile outreach, community referrals, and substance use assessment and referrals (240-777-4000).

311 provides weekday assistance, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., for health and human services, housing, transportation, and food assistance (311 for local numbers, or 240-777-0311).

For medical emergencies, fires, reporting crimes, disaster response, and life-saving situations, call 911.                    

Office of Community Affairs, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services:

Past editions of Community Action’s monthly e-newsletter.

African American Health Program

Asian American Health Initiative

Latino Health Initiative

Health:

The DHHS Mobile Health Clinic travels around Montgomery County providing integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and human services to underserved and vulnerable populations and communities. Residents of Montgomery County, with and without health insurance, are eligible. Visit the DHHS Mobile Health Clinic webpage for more information, including Frequenting Asked Questions.

Access HEARS, Inc. distributes free over-the-counter hearing aids for County residents who are ages 60 (+), have moderate to severe hearing loss, and incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Find out more about how to access free hearing aids.

DHHS testing for sexually transmitted infections in Silver Spring and Germantown.

Pregnant women who meet the other Medicaid enrollment requirements except for citizenship may be eligible for full Medicaid coverage, including those who are undocumented or on visas. Contact the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

Resource Directories:

Get Help page, Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, Montgomery County, MD. 

WorkSource Montgomery’s Community Assets Map.

Housing – Repairs, eviction prevention, evictions:

For low-income households, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has home repair loans that can assist with paying for radon abatement and other repairs.

Rebuilding Together Montgomery County – repairs, aging in place modifications to homes. 

Landlord-Tenant Affairs, Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Evictions office: 240-777-7130 

Montgomery County Renters Alliance – advocacy, education on tenants’ rights.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness:

Sign up for Alert Montgomery notifications about emergencies in Montgomery County. Alerts can be sent via text, email, or voice message. Use above link or below QR code.

Four steps for Emergency Preparedness: 1) Stay informed. 2) Make a plan. 3) Make a kit. 4) Get involved. Check out the OEMHS website for emergency preparation guides, including special considerations for people with access and functional needs.

Montgomery County flooding website:  Information on frequently flooded roads, steps residents can take to prepare for potential flooding, and the availability of Flood Insurance. The Maryland Insurance Administration also has a flood insurance information page.

The Montgomery County Family Justice Center helps people in domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse situations.

Montgomery County Family Violence Awareness and Prevention 

The Montgomery County Crisis Center specializes in serving people with behavioral health (mental health) crises. 

Food and Household items:

Montgomery County Food Council: Food Assistance Resource Map.

How to protect SNAP benefits from fraud: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Fraud - Maryland Department of Human Services

Food assistance resources and programs (information available in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean).

Financial empowerment:

CASHBACK– VITA Services, tax credit information, and financial education resources.

Affordable Connectivity Program – Approx. $30/month on Internet connections. Click on the fliers in English and Spanish or call 301-908-4510 or toll-free 1-866-206-8467.

Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center: http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/fec. Phone: 240-454-5199. 

WorkSource Montgomery: https://worksourcemontgomery.com/. Service locations in Wheaton and Germantown.

Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection – A – Z Consumer Advice

My Green Montgomery: How to lower your energy costs and much more! https://mygreenmontgomery.org/projects/energy/

Ban the Box, or the Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Law, assists in the successful reintegration of people with criminal records into the workforce by removing barriers to employment and housing. Find out more from the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights.

Protecting Immigrant Families: Immigrant eligibility for public programs.

Unemployment Insurance 

Office of Home Energy Programs: Utilities assistance.

WSSC water & sewer bill assistance in English and Spanish. Call Center Advisors: 301-206-4001.

The Community Action Agency is part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Affairs.